Weekend Getaways from Bogota

Weekend Getaways near Bogota, Colombia

Bogota in itself is a culturally sprawling capital of Colombia. It is filled with sites of rare history, breathtaking views and meticulously crafted architecture – in short, it is history at its finest at your disposal coupled with an air of gen Y novelty. Bogota gives you the best of both worlds. Bogota has so much to offer for those who look in the right place both in it and around it.

It is easy for one to get worked up in the busy city life that Bogota has to offer. In such a case here are 10-weekend getaways in and around Bogota that you can pay a quick trip to for some much-needed rejuvenation.

La Chorrera: A hike to the Chorrera waterfalls is known to be one of the most soothing and refreshing hikes that one can volunteer for. The highest waterfall in Colombia, La Chorrera’s arsenals are loaded with pristine waterfalls and green pathways – all that one needs to get away from the buzz of a stressful week at work. It is also home to a plethora of flora and fauna. There are tourist guides, lunch places readily available and getting there is the least of anyone’s worries.

Distance from Bogota: It’s a short 45-minute drive from the Bogota. Multiple cab services and travel agencies offer transport to this widely enjoyed tourist destination.

Best Time to visit: The monsoon usually gets the worst of the falls. Therefore, it would be advisable to avoid the falls at this time.

Zipaquirá: It is one of the essential religious attractions in Colombia. It is famous for its Salt Cathedral and is one of the most widely revered tourist destinations near Bogota. Give yourself a break from the mundane that every day is and head out to Zipaquirá to serve yourself a spoonful of cultural and religious heritage that this place has to offer. The salt and marble sculptures are celebrated for their uniqueness, and it is a secure vault of Colombian art since the war and long before it.

Distance from Bogota: It is about 25 kilometres from the Bogota.

Best Time to visit: Since its a cathedral and to state the obvious, one must pay a visit to this beautiful getaway during the holiday season.

Prado, Tolima: Placed not very far from the Colombian capital, Prado consists of a driveway that will leave you in awe. After this drive, you will find yourself gaping at breathtakingly beautiful views of the lakes and dams that this place is home to. It is a place that perfect for a good trek and a long due picnic with the family and kids. It’s time to grab that car and getaway to this wonderful countryside.

Distance from Bogota: It is located at about 212 kilometres from the capital Bogota and can be easily traversed to.

Best Time to visit: Prado has a pleasant climate round the year, which makes it suitable for a visit any time of the year.

Places to stay: Hotel Melgar Villa Valeria, Hotel Manantial

Guatavita: A little northwest of the capital, it is famous for its Laguna Dorada, or Lake Guatavita, situated in the neighbouring town of Sesquilé. Similar to Villa de Leyva, Guatavita is a natural space known exclusively for the Muisca civilisation, and this is where the El Dorado legend originates from.

Distance from Bogota: It is located at about 60 kilometres from the capital Bogota and can be easily traversed to.

Best Time to visit: It is advisable to avoid the summers for Guatavita.

Los Llanos/Villavicencio: Villavicencio is the largest city in the region of Los Llanos and houses a lot of villas, hotels, resorts and motels. Villavicencio is the perfect spot for a variety of outdoor activities, ecotourism, including horse riding trails, and is home to a large number of endangered species of wildlife.

Distance from Bogota: It’s a three-hour drive from Bogota, roughly 124 kilometres in the plains of Colombia.

Best Time to visit: Late June is the best time to visit Villavicencio

Places to stay: Hotel Hacienda Palo a Pique, Hotel Vanguardia Real

Girardot: It is the most important city in Cundinamarca. It enjoys a tropical climate like most of Colombia and is one place that one can’t not go to when in Colombia. It is widely known for its natural, recreational sites, conservation projects to protect Flora and fauna. There are multiple viewpoints in and around the town.

Distance from Bogota: It is about a two-hour drive from Bogota.

Best Time to visit: Rainy season – May, June, July is the most suitable to visit Girardot.

La Calera: Among the places to visit near Bogota, Mirador is one of the most popular, the Capilla Colonial, the Chingaza National Park and the San Rafael dam. It has few of the most stunning landscapes.

Distance from Bogota: It is located at about 18 kilometres from the capital and can be easily traversed to.

Best Time to visit: Prado has a year-round pleasant climate which makes it suitable for a visit any time of the year.

Villa de Leyva: If one needs an essential dosage of Colombia’s past, a trip to Villa de Leyva is a must on your travel list. It has natives residing since the 6th century and is loaded with history of Colombia every step of the way.

Distance from Bogota: It is located at about 212 kilometres from the capital and can be easily traversed to.

Best Time to visit: Prado has a year-round pleasant climate which makes it suitable for a visit any time of the year.